Median one-bedroom rent across the cities we track is $953 in Montana versus $764 in Wyoming. Overall, Wyoming runs roughly 20% cheaper on rent than Montana, its main day-to-day cost driver.
Median household income across tracked cities is $71,855 in Montana and $69,171 in Wyoming — about 4% higher in Montana. Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax; Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.
State Taxes
Sales Tax
None
4%
+4.0 pp in Wyoming
Income Tax (top rate)
5.65%
None
+5.7 pp in Montana
Housing (median across tracked cities)
Median 1BR Rent
$953
$764
+20% in Montana
Median Home Value
$427,400
$302,200
+29% in Montana
Income (median across tracked cities)
Median Household Income
$71,855
$69,171
+4% in Montana
Climate (median across tracked cities)
Avg Annual Temperature
45.9°F
45.4°F
+0.5°F in Montana
Montana vs Wyoming — FAQ
- Is it cheaper to live in Montana or Wyoming?
- Wyoming is cheaper on rent — its median one-bedroom of $764 runs about 20% below Montana's $953, based on the cities we track in each state.
- How much more do you need to earn to live in Montana than in Wyoming?
- To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, based on median rent across tracked cities, you'd want to earn roughly $38,000 a year in Montana versus $31,000 in Wyoming.
- Which has lower taxes, Montana or Wyoming?
- Montana has a top state income tax rate of 5.65% and no state sales tax. Wyoming has no state income tax and a 4% state sales tax.
Housing, income, and climate are medians across the 3/3 cities we track in Montana/Wyoming — not population-weighted statewide figures. Taxes are exact state-level rates. Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year; NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010; Tax Foundation 2026.